in touch and keen, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, no impression after
led to 1st, tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, ridden after next, soon weakened
led after 1st and pulled hard, soon clear until 4th, headed approaching next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, weakened 5th
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, blundered 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, hung left flat, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, headway 4th, chased winner when hit 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
chased leaders, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened from 4th
close up until 5th
Petrovka, The Gleaner and Regal Sunset are the three to look at here with Petrovka getting the nod. Regal Sunset is rated in the 70s on the Flat and has shaped well on his two starts to date over timber, hitting the frame on both occasions. He has some quality and can hit the frame again. Mick Easterby is to be respected here, and his representative The Gleaner finished second at Musselburgh but has since disappointed on extremes of ground. There are no problems on that score here and he can return to form. Petrovka has finished second twice in novice contests, and was not disgraced in a competitive handicap hurdle last time. This looks easier and Petrovka can make the drop in grade count.
Cara Sposa (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 14, 33l behind The Shy Man (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf.
The Gleaner 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 6th, challenged 3 out, weakened after 2 out, blundered last, 5th of 15, 27l behind Earnest (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Wilhewispa 14-1 (10-12) Ridden over 5f out, always behind, 7th of 9, 23l behind Eterna (10-2) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gf in Jul.
Gus 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Soprano (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Rajeh (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Towards rear, some late progress, 7th of 17, 28l behind Tritonix (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Regal Sunset (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden and effort approaching last, stayed on, never troubled winner, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Golden Alchemist (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Petrovka (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Held up, hit 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 4th of 7, 23l behind River Alder (11-7) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr.
She's The Lady 14-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, weakening when hampered 2 out, 7th of 15, 17l behind Spirit of New York (11-0) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.